Meet the Blood Orange Paloma. This isn’t your typical paloma – it’s got mezcal and well…blood orange, of course. I’ve been on a serious mezcal kick lately (see my recent pineapple mint mezcal smash) and this cocktail is going on my favorites list.
I’m also on such a winter citrus kick – more than ever, really. It all started with Jessica’s winter vanilla bean chia pudding with blood orange syrup and dark chocolate. Yes, you read that right.
I made the chia pudding on a whim one day and now I’ve made it an additional three times. And yes, it’s so unreasonably good.
It’s actually what inspired this cocktail! So, if you’re making one too, you can thank the talented Jessica Merchant for it. I know I sure am. As I was making the blood orange syrup for the chia pudding, I thought to myself “wow, this is delicious and sugary and what else can I put it in?”
And voilà, a blood orange paloma! Perfect for summer. Or Fall. Or basically anytime of the year, let’s be real.
The mezcal adds more of a kick than tequila does, at least I think so. The smoky flavor is fantastic, but might be an acquired taste. I know the first time I had mezcal I basically gagged (yes, in public, because such is life), but now I love it.
This cocktail is quite easy to whip up. In fact, the step that takes the longest is bringing the fresh blood orange juice and sugar come to a boil.
I would suggest getting one of those nifty juicer bowls – I didn’t have any and well…I’ll just leave it at T. later brought up that we had blood orange juice on the wall. Oops.
Regardless of the slight mess I made, these were totally worth it. You’ll have to let me know if you give it a try this weekend!
Make Your Own Blood Orange Paloma
- 3 T blood orange syrup
- 1 cup freshly squeezed blood orange juice
- Juice from 1/2 lime
- 1/4 cup mezcal
- Club soda
- Place 1/2 cup blood orange juice and 3/4 cup sugar over medium heat
- Bring to a bubble for 1-2 minutes
- Turn off the heat and let cool while you make the cocktail
- Rub half of glass rim with a slice of blood orange
- Dip in salt
- Fill glass with ice cubes
- Combine blood orange juice, syrup, lime juice, and mezcal in a shaker
- Shake for 20 seconds
- Pour over ice
- Top off with club soda
- Garnish with blood orange slice
- The blood orange syrup recipe is by Jessica of How Sweet It Is - one of my absolute favorite food blogs. Find it here: http://www.howsweeteats.com/2016/01/creamy-winter-vanilla-bean-chia-pudding-with-blood-orange-syrup-and-dark-chocolate/
What’s next on your cocktail must-try list?
g.
Oh this looks seriously good, and the photos are excellent too. Just pinned it for later. Hollie will love this!
Buckets & Spades
Thank you so much! I really hope she does! 🙂
g.
you have such a pretty blog! this recipe looks amazing!
Thank you so much, Sara! Yours is so lovely as well <3
g.
It’s such a pretty looking drink! I love making fancy drinks at home; gonna have to try this one soon.
You should! It is quite delicious 😉
g.
This looks absolutely amazing and I seriously cannot get over how great your photos are!
Molly {Dreams in HD}
http://www.dreamsinhd.blogspot.com
You are too sweet! Thank you so much, Molly!
g.
Love love love! Sounds delicious and your photos are so pretty!
Thank you thank you!
g.
This sounds so good! Just yesterday I was in the liquor store, staring at the mezcal section, trying to decide what to get. I know I like the mezcal I’ve had in bars, but I had no idea what to buy! Do you have any recommendations?
I really like the one we picked up! And funny enough, I picked it because it wasn’t the most expensive mezcal, but it also wasn’t the cheapest. I went middle of the road with this one and it worked out – we got the Xicaru silver. A pretty delicious find, if I do say so myself.
g.
Goodness gracious. I NEED this.
It’s so yummy! Definitely helps me escape winter for a bit 😉
g.